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ITC offers diploma qualification to Botany students

The International Travel College (ITC) Diploma in Tourism and Travel Management will be offered at the ITC Botany Campus from 2014, allowing students to take their studies to the next level.

“This is the first time a diploma-level qualification has been available to our South Auckland students,” says ITC’s Marketing Director Claire Huxley. “Previously, students have travelled to our City Campus for this course.”

With the focus in the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) being to educate students to a higher level and a number of students who were really keen to take the course, ITC decided it was time to offer the Diploma in Tourism and Travel Management course at both campuses. “After speaking to all the agencies involved, we were encouraged and supported by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to deliver our this course at Botany” said Kerry Priestley, ITC Managing Director.

ITC decided to mark the occasion and held a formal event with full Maori protocol to welcome students to the new diploma. Robson Chamberlain of Edgewater College’s Te Tahawai Marae called the welcome and ITC student Lewis Wilson formally responded. Student Rawinia Nghoe responded to the Edgewater College kapa haka group’s powhiri with a waiata.

A mihi was held to bless the level 5 curriculum and a karakia whakamutunga concluded the protocol.

ITC’s Campus Manager Botany, Natasha Allen, then spoke to the group, welcoming the students, thanking the TEC for its support and highlighting to the students the important step they were about to take. As the course is delivered in just 48 weeks, she talked to the students about the challenges that the students may face and how all the ITC would be there to support them, encourage and see them into exciting careers in management roles in the future.

“These students are going to be the leaders of the travel and tourism industry of tomorrow,” says Natasha. “It felt important and respectful to acknowledge their hard work so far and the commitment they have made to their future learning.”

Jami-Lee Ross, National MP for Botany, congratulated the students on their dedication to their educational journey and spoke of how pleased he was to see this high level qualification available in South Auckland. He spoke of ITC’s success in the industry and how their awards and accolades was a recognition of their dedication in training students.

“We are excited about the future of this diploma,” says Kerry, “and for the future of the students who are undertaking it.”